In George Orwell's "1984," the notion of freedom is fundamentally tied to the ability to express the most basic truths without fear of repression. The quote emphasizes that recognizing simple realities, like stating that two plus two equals four, is crucial for true freedom. If individuals can acknowledge such truths, it allows for broader liberties, fundamental to human existence and society.

This statement reflects the importance of objective reality in a totalitarian regime. The ability to think and speak freely about factual information is essential for maintaining individual autonomy. When a government manipulates truth, it undermines freedom and control over personal thought, signifying that freedom is rooted in the acknowledgment of undeniable facts.